Here's The Fork In The Road...

[daycarediva]

We are moving in June, but I would HAVE to accept the job sooner, which is fine. It's not a huge commute for a month especially.

I LOATHE having DC in my home. LOATHE. I have a separate yard, entrance, room, bathroom (everything but a kitchen, and I WILL have a separate kitchenette when we move in addition to everything else).

I STILL hate it. Most definitely approaching burn out. From the street my home is obviously a daycare. Despite the hours and calling for a tour, people stop here at all hours. I am not closed today, but I'm off (assistant is here). We still have parents coming/going, kids here, my assistant, in/out of the kitchen, etc. The after hours texts, emails and phone calls are OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have a separate cell and I turn it off, and tell parents NOT to contact me. It doesn't stop them. One parent recently went out of his way to find and use my PERSONAL email that I gave to a former client (she sells lularoe)

^ that won't change with reduced work hours for myself, or the new home. Eg. my kids are all off at school, I won't be able to sit on my deck with a glass of wine and a book without daycare parents seeing me.

Yep- calculated income after expenses. Still a pay cut (not by much, but enough) The new job comes with 3 weeks of PTO, setting my own 36 hour work week, and a great benefits package.

I do have the option, (and dh is pushing for this one)although a more risky and expensive one- of opening my own small center. In which case I would need a loan, and it's a BIG risk. I'm a play it safe gal, don't think I could do that unless dh wasn't self employed/had steadier pay. I also just see the staff issues, the parent issues, etc all multiplied. Definitely would be working more hours, regardless. No thanks.

AHHH! I have to leave now, but I haven't slept for thinking it all over. Lots of thought- they don't want an answer immediately, so that's good.

[Mike]

I would then say, if they will either drop the non compete clause, or at least only apply it for as long as you work for them, you would probably be happier with them. Sounds to me like the biggest problem would be not being able to go back to your own business if you change your mind, and they shouldn't be able to stop that, especially because you already do it.

Now, if you were new to daycare and were to go to work for a center for a few months for practice, then go out and open your own center near them, that would be different. That's what I've had 2 people do in my home reno business. Work for me for a bit, then decide to go on their own.

[Blackcat31]

We are moving in June, but I would HAVE to accept the job sooner, which is fine. It's not a huge commute for a month especially.

I LOATHE having DC in my home. LOATHE. I have a separate yard, entrance, room, bathroom (everything but a kitchen, and I WILL have a separate kitchenette when we move in addition to everything else).

I STILL hate it. Most definitely approaching burn out. From the street my home is obviously a daycare. Despite the hours and calling for a tour, people stop here at all hours. I am not closed today, but I'm off (assistant is here). We still have parents coming/going, kids here, my assistant, in/out of the kitchen, etc. The after hours texts, emails and phone calls are OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have a separate cell and I turn it off, and tell parents NOT to contact me. It doesn't stop them. One parent recently went out of his way to find and use my PERSONAL email that I gave to a former client (she sells lularoe)

^ that won't change with reduced work hours for myself, or the new home. Eg. my kids are all off at school, I won't be able to sit on my deck with a glass of wine and a book without daycare parents seeing me.

Yep- calculated income after expenses. Still a pay cut (not by much, but enough) The new job comes with 3 weeks of PTO, setting my own 36 hour work week, and a great benefits package.

I do have the option, (and dh is pushing for this one)although a more risky and expensive one- of opening my own small center. In which case I would need a loan, and it's a BIG risk. I'm a play it safe gal, don't think I could do that unless dh wasn't self employed/had steadier pay. I also just see the staff issues, the parent issues, etc all multiplied. Definitely would be working more hours, regardless. No thanks.

AHHH! I have to leave now, but I haven't slept for thinking it all over. Lots of thought- they don't want an answer immediately, so that's good.

That's kind of how I look at my business. I am licensed as family care but since I operate out of a facility that no one lives in (it's a house) it is treated like a small center.

I've hired staff before but only for small amounts of time and the other times I've needed a second adult, I've used my DH or my own adult child(ren) so didn't really have staffing issues but the perks that DO come with having a separate building FAR outweigh the rest.

If I didn't have the option of operating in a completely separate space, I KNOW I would have quit in the first 3 yrs.

Some of you in home providers are just plain cray-cray!! :: Much respect to you!! lovethis

[Mike]

That's kind of how I look at my business. I am licensed as family care but since I operate out of a facility that no one lives in (it's a house) it is treated like a small center.

I've hired staff before but only for small amounts of time and the other times I've needed a second adult, I've used my DH or my own adult child(ren) so didn't really have staffing issues but the perks that DO come with having a separate building FAR outweigh the rest.

If I didn't have the option of operating in a completely separate space, I KNOW I would have quit in the first 3 yrs.

Some of you in home providers are just plain cray-cray!! :: Much respect to you!! lovethis

::
I bet many of you do wish you could keep daycare and family more separate. The fact that I don't have a family will be my advantage. No separation needed. I didn't plan on staying single all my life, but there are advantages.

[e.j.]

I really wish I could operate in somewhere other than my home. That is 90% of my issue with daycare, despite it being entirely separate space. It takes UP space. It's less privacy. My family IS inconvenienced. I would buy a separate home to operate in a second if my state would allow it.

I LOATHE having DC in my home. LOATHE. I have a separate yard, entrance, room, bathroom (everything but a kitchen, and I WILL have a separate kitchenette when we move in addition to everything else).

I STILL hate it. Most definitely approaching burn out. From the street my home is obviously a daycare. Despite the hours and calling for a tour, people stop here at all hours. I am not closed today, but I'm off (assistant is here). We still have parents coming/going, kids here, my assistant, in/out of the kitchen, etc. The after hours texts, emails and phone calls are OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have a separate cell and I turn it off, and tell parents NOT to contact me. It doesn't stop them. One parent recently went out of his way to find and use my PERSONAL email that I gave to a former client

I think you have strong feelings about doing day care out of your home. (I totally get it; some days, I feel the same way.) You have an opportunity to change that for yourself. They may be willing to bring you in for a little more money because of your reputation in the area and because of your experience. If they won't consider dropping the non-compete clause entirely, maybe they'll meet you in the middle somewhere. You could agree not to open a center within a year of leaving them but reserve the right to go back to doing home day care if it doesn't work out. Maybe that would be enough to calm their fear of competition and reassure you that you have the option to return to family day care if the new job doesn't work out?

[Mom2Two]

My dh thinks that I'm crazy for even considering it, he thinks I am essentially giving away all of my awesome skills AND I would have to sign a one year non compete clause.

OR I could open in September and have dd/partner (start working in October)taking half of the hours and make about the same amount of money- more if I am full with the rates I expect to get.

Thoughts? Being an adult is hard!

Is the one year non-compete from first day of hire or after you leave? My guess would be that it's a year after you quit the center.

Given how much you've put into learning your trade as a family provider, I don't know that I'd be hasty in signing that away.

On the other hand, maybe you'd like the steady job and hours. Does it actually have steady hours or are you the one who puts out fires late in the day?

[e.j.]

::
I bet many of you do wish you could keep daycare and family more separate.

Almost every day! :: I have a large room devoted to the day care but it would be so much easier if I had a separate house.

[Blackcat31]

::
I bet many of you do wish you could keep daycare and family more separate. The fact that I don't have a family will be my advantage. No separation needed. I didn't plan on staying single all my life, but there are advantages.

It was a perk when it came to family life. Especially when my own kids were younger but honestly it is more about separation from work and non-work time.

I could NOT imagine being closed or on vacation AT WORK. kwim? I would feel like I am obligated to get something done (we all know daycare work is never done...) so NOT physically being at work helps more than anyone probably realizes.

So family or not, no one wants to be (or should have to be) tied to their work environment 24/7.

[Mike]

It was a perk when it came to family life. Especially when my own kids were younger but honestly it is more about separation from work and non-work time.

I could NOT imagine being closed or on vacation AT WORK. kwim? I would feel like I am obligated to get something done (we all know daycare work is never done...) so NOT physically being at work helps more than anyone probably realizes.

So family or not, no one wants to be (or should have to be) tied to their work environment 24/7.

Good point. My home reno business is at other peoples houses. When I go home, I'm done that, but I also have a website hosting business. It's pretty much dead, but done from home, so I'm never away from that one, unless I'm out doing reno work. :: Even single, it would actually be nice to run business away from home.

[daycarediva]

We are in negotiation. I would like to set my own hours 6-2:30 (I'll open at 6, if the late teacher closes at 6) ONE Saturday tour a month for 2 hours MAX (the current director donates a LOT of personal time, since she is older and has no children/grandchildren near by)

They must drop the non compete. It is for one year AFTER I leave, so even if I didn't like it, I couldn't leave after a year and open up a center or an in home. I won't do an entire year of limbo.

The budget for remodeling (minor) and upgrades (not so minor) will be in the contract. Along with the pay increases for staff, and further increases down the road-education and experience dependent. Well paid, happy staff=better care, parent happiness, etc.

They MUST be reinspected after renovations and pass with flying colors. There were definite licensing violations yesterday (nothing serious, but that's not how I operate). I pulled 4 student binders, and 3/4 had missing or expired paperwork. NOT acceptable.

They must raise the salary a bit, it's just...low balled. There are times in winter Dec-Feb usually we get by on just my income alone/savings if work is slow for dh (since he still has payroll) and that would be a little tight.

Also- the DAP thing. You could see the poor 2's teacher breathe a visible sigh of relief when I asked her why the kids are doing worksheets (well, why she was TRYING to get them to do them/doing them for them/hand over hand). The current director told her that parents want a 'receipt of learning'. NO. JUST NO.

Met a few parents- spoke to them about concerns. Most aligned with mine (one just wanted extended hours and lower rates- to which I told the owner- PASS.) A gradual rate increase was already in my idea sheet. They are on the VERY low end of center market rates. I actually charge more per child NOW at my home.

So, we will see!

[Josiegirl]

To be honest, it sounds like they'd be extremely lucky to have you!!! You have many wonderful changes already in your mind for them and the teachers, as well. But just remember to do what is the best for you and your family!!

[CityGarden]

Good for you for realizing your value and going in to negotiate.

[daycarediva]

I'm actually kind of excited about the prospect of being able to do what I do- on a much larger scale. I actually enjoy my job now, and offering play based, DAP to my crew I see the difference. Of course, this would make a larger impact number wise. I'm thinking parent education flyers, incorporating the cafeteria more for entire-center activities, (right now it's EMPTY and locked- the kids eat in their classrooms) more outside play, more sensory activities.

It's in their hands now. I gave them a counter I could easily live with. We will see.

[childcaremom]

I'm actually kind of excited about the prospect of being able to do what I do- on a much larger scale. I actually enjoy my job now, and offering play based, DAP to my crew I see the difference. Of course, this would make a larger impact number wise. I'm thinking parent education flyers, incorporating the cafeteria more for entire-center activities, (right now it's EMPTY and locked- the kids eat in their classrooms) more outside play, more sensory activities.

It's in their hands now. I gave them a counter I could easily live with. We will see.

Best of luck!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

We are in negotiation. I would like to set my own hours 6-2:30 (I'll open at 6, if the late teacher closes at 6) ONE Saturday tour a month for 2 hours MAX (the current director donates a LOT of personal time, since she is older and has no children/grandchildren near by)

They must drop the non compete. It is for one year AFTER I leave, so even if I didn't like it, I couldn't leave after a year and open up a center or an in home. I won't do an entire year of limbo.

The budget for remodeling (minor) and upgrades (not so minor) will be in the contract. Along with the pay increases for staff, and further increases down the road-education and experience dependent. Well paid, happy staff=better care, parent happiness, etc.

They MUST be reinspected after renovations and pass with flying colors. There were definite licensing violations yesterday (nothing serious, but that's not how I operate). I pulled 4 student binders, and 3/4 had missing or expired paperwork. NOT acceptable.

They must raise the salary a bit, it's just...low balled. There are times in winter Dec-Feb usually we get by on just my income alone/savings if work is slow for dh (since he still has payroll) and that would be a little tight.

Also- the DAP thing. You could see the poor 2's teacher breathe a visible sigh of relief when I asked her why the kids are doing worksheets (well, why she was TRYING to get them to do them/doing them for them/hand over hand). The current director told her that parents want a 'receipt of learning'. NO. JUST NO.

Met a few parents- spoke to them about concerns. Most aligned with mine (one just wanted extended hours and lower rates- to which I told the owner- PASS.) A gradual rate increase was already in my idea sheet. They are on the VERY low end of center market rates. I actually charge more per child NOW at my home.

So, we will see!

What a blessing you would be to that center! WOW! I hope they get the ball rolling quickly.